Johny Hendricks to Georges St-Pierre: Give Up Belt if You Can’t Handle Stress

There are countless rumors swirling as to why UFC welterweight king Georges St-Pierre wants to take a temporary leave from MMA. Whether the issue is his alleged ailing dad, baby mamma drama, lost lawsuit that will cost him millions, Johny Hendricks (pictured) couldn’t care less.

Despite the various reports about his private life, St-Pierre has remained mum on the subject. The only insight he provided publicly was that his troubles haven’t allowed him to sleep at night. Welcome to Johny Hendricks’ world, GSP…

“Dude, I’ve got three kids. You know what I’m saying? Talk about sleep, are you kidding me?” Hendricks expressed on this week’s edition of AXS TV’s “Inside MMA.” “Everybody’s got problems in life. That’s the way that it is. If you can’t handle the stress of being champion, give it up.

“We chose to get into that Octagon, we chose not to sleep. I don’t know how many times I went to bed at five, six o’clock in the morning and woke up at 10, running four miles because I wanted to beat GSP that bad. Dude, who cares? I chose this life. Tell yourself whatever you need to. Just get back in that Octagon with me. I can’t wait for the rematch.”

UFC president Dana White is confident a little time will heal St-Pierre’s problems and an instant sequel will be arranged sooner rather than later. However, St-Pierre’s camp claims the most decorated 170-pounder in UFC history hasn’t wavered from his original statement that he needs to walk away.

Regardless, Hendricks simply wants the hardware. He’s remained adamant that beating St-Pierre was never the true goal, it was always to don the belt. So if the UFC intends on manufacturing an interim title, arrange a bout for GSP’s abandoned strap, he just wants in.

“Bigg Rigg” submitted his application in a highly controversial split decision defeat to GSP last Saturday at UFC 167. Chances are he’ll get first dibs at one of the spots no matter what direction the UFC goes in.